Chelsea transfer news: The Blues have contacted Bournemouth to ask about midfielder Alex Scott and the possibility of a January move, according to The i Paper. The enquiry follows a summer in which the Blues saw a bid of around £64m rejected for a player Bournemouth reportedly value nearer £80m. Scott’s contract runs until 2028, but he has reportedly turned down new terms, which gives Chelsea an opening.

Bournemouth’s position has softened. They initially refused to discuss a mid-season sale because of their Europa League campaign, yet BBC Sport reported in October that they would sanction a departure for a significant offer.

What Scott would bring

The 23-year-old made his England debut in September and covered 11.6km per 90 minutes in the Premier League last season, more than any other Bournemouth player, according to Opta. He also won 60 fouls, the fifth most in the division, because he carries the ball through pressure.

His weaknesses sit in the final third. Scott scored four goals and provided one assist in all competitions last season, and Bournemouth don’t use him as their main creator. A thigh injury on England duty has also kept him out for over a month, so he missed Chelsea’s 5-1 win over his club on 10 October.

Xabi Alonso’s side sit fifth with 16 points from 10 games after a 1-0 defeat at bottom-of-the-table Sunderland, where Alonso admitted his players were too slow with the ball and didn’t press hard enough. Enzo Fernandez left on deadline day, and the attempt to sign Lamine Camara collapsed.

Chelsea transfer news: Is Alex Scott the right midfield signing for Chelsea?

Scott solves part of Chelsea’s problem, not all of it. Sunderland exposed a lack of tempo and pressing, and Scott’s running and ball-carrying address both. He doesn’t offer the incisive passing Fernandez provided from deeper, so Chelsea should sign him as a high-energy number eight alongside Moises Caicedo rather than a like-for-like replacement.

Price is the real test. Bournemouth rejected £64m in the summer, and October reports suggested they would want closer to £100m. Paying that for a player with four goals and an assist last season, who has just spent over a month injured, means BlueCo would fund potential rather than output.

The deal makes sense nearer £70m, after a medical review of that thigh problem. If Bournemouth refuse to budge, Chelsea should wait until the summer rather than overpay in January for a midfielder who won’t fix their creativity.